* DAILY NEWS *

EDITORIAL

National disinterest – Sorin Rosca Stanescu – Ziua – read here -
“I don't want to sound apocalyptic. It is not my intention to make Romanians worry more now when the winter holidays is approaching. But I can neither prove irresponsible and ignore the effects of the Kosovo bomb on Romania's vital, long-term interests. A unilateral recognition of this province's independence is growing almost imminent, because of its final split from Serbia and the almost incautious consent the great powers, the European ones included, are getting ready to express, may effect dramatically on the West Balkans, on Europe and on Romania in particular. It is just like Vladimir Putin warned. I am adding another element and I don't fear it is exaggeration: a war close to our borders is a threat. Belgrade may give military response, like they warned, and they may get support from Moscow and other states. Such an evolution could turn Romania into a battlefield. In brief, we are facing a real problem of national interest - a phrase I am not using demagogically, like politicians do - in need of transparty solutions”.

POLITICS

PM wouldn't appoint Liberal Nicolai a Justice minister – Razvan Gheorghe – Ziua – read here -
“Sources from the PNL (National Liberal Party) say the PM doesn't want the Liberal senator to head the Ministry of Justice because it would put some more gas on his war with the President of Romania Traian Basescu. Sources comment: "President Traian Basescu would surely refuse and delay his consent to such a proposal. On the other hand, senator Nicolai is a leader who has many a time disagreed with the PM, especially in matters related to the restructuring of the Cabinet" “.

European Commission wants Justice reform to progress – Cristian Andrei & Adrian Ilie – Ziua – read here -
“Mark Gray, a spokesman for the European Commission, announced yesterday that the Justice reform, but not the person heading the ministry was important to the EU. He claimed the resignation of the Romanian Justice minister Tudor Chiuariu was a domestic matter and the European Commission might not comment on it”.

Justice minister's resignation in foreign press – L.P. – Ziua – read here -
“While breaking the news yesterday, the BCC mentioned accusations of abuse against the resigning minister. Reuters reminded that ever since September the anti-corruption prosecutors in Romania had been trying to get President Basescu's consent to investigate on young Chiuariu, but their efforts had been prevented by procedure disputes between the Romanian government and Presidency. Some Brussels sources claimed that because of domestic disputes Romania was stepping back instead of making progress to fight against corruption. There is mentioned that minister Chiuariu got hostility from both public opinion and the European Commission when criticizing the activity of anti-corruption prosecutors and trying to dismiss a prosecutor. Reuters also reminded about the latest Amnesty International report rating Romania as the most corrupted EU state. France Press Agency reported on President Basescu's pressure for the Justice minister's resignation, commenting that a criminal inquiry on the official could harm the image of Romanian Justice”.

Democrats pass PD-L Status – Adrian Ilie – Ziua – read here -
“The leaders of the PD (Democrat Party) passed yesterday the project to achieve fusion with the PLD (Liberal-Democrat Party), together with the future party's political programme and Status. The PD-L (Democrat Liberal Party) is going to be the name of the political group to be made. The actual fusion is due on Saturday and the interim heads of the PD-L are going to rule till the end of 2009”.

LATEST

Facilities to encourage Romanians in Italy to return – C.S. – Ziua – read here -
“Romanian authorities intend to provide the Romanian workers in Italy with facilities so that they would return to their native country. Authorities are also working on a set of measures to encourage Italian companies employing Romanians to invest in Romania. Ovidiu Silaghi, a Romanian minister for small and medium enterprises, announced it yesterday”.

Authorities caught red-handed – Razvan Savaliuc & Doru Dragomir – Ziua – read here -
“ "Shanghai" Restaurant on Ion Minulescu Street, Bucharest, used to be the cover for a so-called 'massage salon'. Romanian underage kept in cages by two China men would be forced into prostitution. Among the customers there would be investigators pretending not to see the crimes in exchange for the pleasures the women were forced into offering. And some of the investigators would even get bonuses of thousand Euro”.